Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Brennan. I will pass on his good wishes to Mr. Lee and his fiance. I am delighted the Deputy did not compare married life to the situation in Ukraine. It would have been brave. Personally, it is a utopia.

In relation to our support for Ukraine, the Supplementary Estimate we are providing today is for current support. It is for defensive supports and for ensuring the brutal and vicious attacks we are witnessing every day from Russia can be deterred and we can provide the demining capabilities and ICT equipment that is needed. In relation to rebuilding going forward, the Cathaoirleach highlighted a very interesting part of it. A considerable number of Irish companies are currently working in Ukraine, particularly in western Ukraine, in terms of rebuild. I do not want to name them here. Enterprise Ireland has appointed a Ukraine pathfinder, who works out of the Enterprise Ireland office in Warsaw, because there are commercial responsibilities for this rebuild as well.

Ireland has committed to current, real time rebuilding for Ukraine. As I mentioned, we partnered with the Lithuanian Government to build a new, underground bunker school in a contested area to allow children to continue to go to school without the constant fear of death by shelling and attack. It goes back to the future rebuilding of Ukraine. First and foremost, I would argue the most important thing for the security and rebuilding of Ukraine is membership of the European Union. Ireland is steadfast in our support for future Ukrainian accession into the European Union, which we will touch upon in the next session.

We are also on hand to provide a real, clear effort. As I mentioned, I attended the reconstruction conference in Rome. There was a recent rebuild Ukraine conference in Warsaw and a number of Irish companies are present in Ukraine, primarily in the construction sector but also in the life technology sector as well. Ireland stands ready to provide whatever commitments are needed. Before there is a full reconstruction, however, we need a lasting and just peace.